South African companies have visited Delta State in its determination to source for natural gas.
About four companies; NLG, Transnet, a South African State-owned firm which specializes in port, bridges and rail development and pipeline and IDC, a financing company.
The South African Ambassador to Nigeria, Lulu Louis Nguini, who spoke on behalf of the representatives of the various companies in Warri, Delta State said the tour is for possible business opportunities that would further enhance the trade ties with the state.
He pointed out that the state has great potentials which his country would take advantage of.
“I hope also that this will assist in the development of the state and it will create jobs in Nigeria and in Delta State particularly.
“We really feel quite pleased with this because it will not only strengthen our trade ties with the state but it also will impact on our political ties as both states are mutually re-enforcing. I hope that it will be a win for Delta State and a win for South Africa,” Nguini said.
According to the Ambassador, his country was eager to hit the ground running, “we will do a number of other things, we will move on, we cannot wait and we want to hit the ground running.
Also speaking, the Director-General (DG), Delta State Investment Development Agency, Chief Lucky disclosed that the coming of the South African Companies to the state portents great prospect for the state.
The chairman of the agency, Mr Afam Obiago, hinted that the state has investment opportunities in all segments, “but don’t forget that we are diversifying away from oil.”
The Executive Assistant to the Governor on Investment and Promotion, Paul Nma, noted that they are credible and Transnet is one of the biggest corporations in the world in the field of port development, pipeline and been a state owned company, there is no doubt of credibility there.”
Earlier, the investors visited the Koko Port, Rainoil facilities, including the jetty and later went to the African Timber and Plywood (AT&P), Sapele, Seplat Petroleum Development Company Limited, Seplat Base Office, Sapele, Warri Boat Yard, a group of six companies and the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Warri.
High point of the visit was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between South Africa and Delta State.
